Posts for category ‘sweethearts’

I wasn’t going to post over the weekend, but this morning I realized that a bunch of stuff happened at the Readergirlz blog while I was gone. Also, while digging around for foreign edition links for the forthcoming new incarnation of sarazarr.com*, I found the German cover for Sweethearts, known in Germany as Long Lost Friend, coming out this September.

I really like this. Note Little Cameron’s striped shirt. And, this Older Jenna looks very close to how I picture her. Nice job, DTV Books! The translation was done by Eva Riekert.

Now, onto the continued book of the month discussion at Readergirlz. Since my last post on this, the conversation has grown to include a question about being ditched by friends when they start dating, and ideas for a Sweethearts-themed party.

*We were close to launching the new site this weekend, then ran in to a couple of technical glitches, but it’s coming soon! I’m very excited. There’s going to be new content like a real bio, FAQs, and a page with my thoughts on writing. And, an all-new design, one that I’ll be sticking with for (hopefully) years to come. If you notice any weirdness in site performance over the coming week or so, it’s just Chris working behind the scenes so don’t panic.

1. Thanks to everyone who came out for the chat on Wednesday—that was fun. If you missed out, you can read the transcript at the rgz blog, where the Sweethearts discussion continues throughout the month.

2. I am totally chagrined by last night’s SYTYCD elimination. Max is an incredibly strong dancer. But then, this season it seems like they all are, so every week will be devastating, I’m sure.

3. I want to thank, hug, clasp hands with, send flowers to everyone who has already responded to Once Was Lost. Between your tweets and emails and blog posts, I’m feeling grateful that you have made the Season of Nausea less stressful, and am excited for fall. (And, FYI to bloggers, I do not have any ARCs to send you, I’m sorry! If you have a review site and want one, you’ll need to contact my publicist. With a modicum of effort, you will find her contact info on this site.)

4. Yesterday I finally watched Shut Up & Sing, the documentary about the fallout for the Dixie Chicks after Natalie Maines made a negative comment about Bush. It’s very good (and maddening), dishing up a lot of food for thought: What is patriotism? Was what happened to them censorship? How does the near-monopoly situation of the broadcasting industry filter what we get to hear and see, even when there is no specific controversy? What if a grizzly dude instead of an attractive female had made same comment? The immediate reactions after the fact included referring to the women of the Chicks as twits, sluts, bimbos, and airheads. When you watch the documentary, it’s obvious they are none of those things, not even close. You know the rhetoric would have been different (or non-existent) if they were not young, cute women. As a writer, I was especially interested in their conversations after the fact with their manager about what kind of artists they want to be. How far should any artist have to go in playing the game?

5. I’m getting out into the wild for a few days. I may try blogging from my phone, just for kicks, but I should probably resist that impulse when I’m trying to get back to nature. We’ll see. So, see you late next week if not before!

The month of Sweethearts over at Readergirlz continues! Believe it or not, it is already June 17, so we’re over halfway through. Yikes! Here’s what’s going on:

• Live chat tonight at the rgz blog. 6 p.m. Pacific / 9 p.m. Eastern. (7 p.m. Mountain, 8 p.m. Central! And if you’re in Arizona…well, who knows. You can always check the world clock if you’re not sure.) It should be easy. The chat opens at 5:45 Pacific. You should just be able to go over to the blog, and see a chat box and start yapping! The address, once again: http://readergirlz.blogspot.com

• Yesterday, Sarah Darer Littman, whose book Purge is a recommended companion read to Sweethearts, posted to the rgz about that and about her own experience with food and body image.

• Also yesterday, the featured discussion question was: Jenna and Cam’s relationship isn’t really romantic, and it isn’t really platonic. Sara asks, “What is challenging about that kind of friendship?” Whoah nellie, what isn’t complicated about that? Add your thoughts.

I hope to see you at the chat tonight where we can talk about all things Sweethearts, or just So You Think You Can Dance!

My doctor emailed to let me know that the CDC is no longer processing flu samples to prove swine flu unless the patient is hospitalized. Currently it is assumed that flu A is swine flu. Awesome! I feel pretty good. Back to routine, though I tire out fast and am still sleeping like a log at night, for ten hours or so. /health update

Meeaaaanwhile, some randomness:

The Sweethearts discussion continues at the Readergirlz blog. The current question has to do with parents making mistakes. Check it out, add your response.

If you are in SLC and flu-free, come out to Shannon Hale’s event on Saturday for The Actor and the Housewife. Don an apron, win a prize!

I’ve been listening repeatedly to The Eels’ new album, Hombre Lobo. Good stuff, Maynard. (By the way, does anyone know what I’m talking about when I say ‘good stuff, Maynard’? Please say yes. I feel old enough as it is.) What have you been listening to?

I am slowly, slowly working my way through Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, a novel in stories, and I don’t want it to end so I’m only allowing myself one story every couple of weeks. In between, I’m reading other stuff. How about you?

1. If you are in the Salt Lake area, come out to the King’s English tomorrow (Saturday), at 2 p.m., where a bunch of local SCBWI members with books out will be signing. Like Sydney Salter, Emily Wing Smith, Anne Bowen, and more! I’ll be there, too. And I (and my doctor) promise you I am not infectious. In fact, somewhat miraculously I feel nearly fully recovered. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is exercise, and I’ll be waiting until Monday for that. Anyway – tomorrow, TKE, 15th & 15th from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. There will be cookies.

2. Hustle on over to the Teen Fiction Cafe for Good News Friday, and read some good news about Story of a Girl and Once Was Lost, as well as good news from other TFCers.

3. Sweethearts/Truth month at Readergirlz continues, with a nonfiction companion recommendation of Cylin and John Busby’s The Year We Disappeared. Sounds fascinating!

4. I am so glad it’s So You Think You Can Dance season again. Man I love that show. There was some heartbreak last night, as there always is. I haven’t seen two brothers cry and say “I love you” so much since Biggest Loser 5′s Jay and Mark. (By the way, have you seen the trailer for the remake of Fame? Kherington from last season is totally in that. Check out her high kick.)

5. The one and only ARC I brought back from BEA was The Unnamed by Josh Ferris, which I read on the plane on the way home. It’s very compelling and super interesting—a good choice for a book club discussion, because there is lots to discuss (and argue about, which I think makes good book club fun). Marriage, the human body, the soul, sanity, salvation. It comes out in January. As you may recall, Ferris’s first novel, And Then We Came to the End was a National Book Award finalist in what I think of as my year. So me and Josh are practically, like, siblings. Even though I walked about 3 inches from him at BEA and didn’t realize it until it was past the correct moment to say hello without being totally awkward. Still. We’re tight. Tight!

Now go and have yourselves a great weekend, and congratulations to all you graduates! Be safe, okay? There is no rush to experience all of your adulthood in one night.